Method and means for centrifuging chilled blood samples

ABSTRACT

The method comprises the steps of taking a receptacle having a double wall configuration with a space therebetween. The space between the double walls is filled with a liquid and the liquid is then frozen. The test liquid specimen is placed in a container and the container is placed in the receptacle. The receptacle is then subjected to rotational movement while maintaining the container in close proximity to the inner wall of the receptacle so that the temperature of the test liquid will be reduced from its ambient temperature. The means for centrifuging the chilled blood sample comprises a receptacle holder element having a double wall configuration with a space therebetween. Refrigerant is positioned between the double walls so that the holder element may be placed in a cold environment to freeze the refrigerant. The holder element is adapted to receive a test tube or the like containing the test specimen of liquid to be centrifuged. The configuration of the double walls are such that the receptacle may be placed in close proximity to the inner wall of the holder element so as to permit the refrigerant material to reduce the ambient temperature of the test specimen.

United States Patent [19] Buck [111' 3,851,817 Dec. 3, 1974 METHOD ANDMEANS FOR CENTRIFUGING CHILLED BLOOD SAMPLES [76] inventor: Eleanor S.Buck, 726 50th St., Des

Moines, Iowa 50312 [22] Filed: May 29, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 364,954

Primary Examiner-George l-I. Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Zarley,McKee, Thomte & Voorhees [57] ABSTRACT The method comprises the steps oftaking a receptacle having a double wall configuration with a spacetherebetween. The space between the double walls is filled with a liquidand the liquid is then frozen. The test liquid specimen is placed in acontainer and the c0ntainer is placed in the receptacle. The receptacleis then subjected to rotational movement while maintaining the containerin close proximity to the inner wall of the receptacle so that thetemperature of the test liquid will be reduced from its ambienttemperature. The means for centrifuging the chilled blood samplecomprises a receptacle holder element having a double wall configurationwith a space therebetween. Refrigerant is positioned between the doublewalls so that the holder element may be placed in a cold environment tofreeze the refrigerant. The holder element is adapted to receive a testtube or the like containing the test specimen of liquid to becentrifuged. The configuration of the double walls are such that thereceptacle may be placed in close proximity to the inner wall of theholder element so as to permit the refrigerant material to reduce theambient temperature of the test specimen.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEQEEC 31974 METHOD AND MEANS FORCENTRIFUGING CHILLED BLOOD SAMPLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a method and means for centrifuging chilled bloodsamples. There are many laboratory tests which require that chilledblood be centrifuged. The present method of chilling the blood samplesis to either place the blood sample in a refrigerated centrifuge or tomaintain the centrifuge in a chilled atmosphere. Obviously, the cost ofmanufacturing a chilled centrifuge is quite expensive as is the need formaintaining a chilled atmosphere around a centrifuge.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a methodand means for centrifuging chilled blood samples.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for centrifugingchilled blood samples comprising a double walled receptacle having arefrigerant positioned between the double walls which may be frozen.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for centrifugingchilled blood samples comprising a holder element adapted to receive atest tube therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method forcentrifuging chilled blood samples which eliminates the need of arefrigerated centrifuge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method forcentrifuging chilled blood samples which I eliminates the need formaintaining the centrifuge in a chilled atmosphere.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and means forcentrifuging chilled blood samples which is economical of manufacture,and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention consists in theconstruction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of thedevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinaftermore fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the receptacle:

FIG. 2 is a side view of the receptacle having a test tube mountedtherein:

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen on lines 3 3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a centrifuge which is employed withthe receptacle of FIGS. 1 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 4, the numeral 10 refersgenerally to a conventional centrifuge having a motor 12 positioned inthe base 14. Drive shaft 16 extends upwardly from the to outer wall 24at the upper ends thereof. Space 28 is filled with a re-freezable liquidor semi-solid substance generally referred to by the reference numeral30.

The numeral 32 refers to a test tube or the like which may be insertedinto the interior of the receptacle 22 through the open end 34. As seenin FIG. 2, the lip 36 of the test tube 32 engages the tapered upperportion of the inner wall 26. As seen in the drawings, the wall 38 ofthe test tube is in close proximity to the inner wall 26. v

The normal method of operation is as follows. The receptacle 22 isplaced in a freezer or the like to freeze or chill the material 30 inthe space 28. When the material 30 in the space 28 is at the propertemperature. the test tube 32 may be filled with the blood sample andplaced in the receptacle as illustrated in FIG. 2. The receptacle andthe test tube would then be placed in the metal cup-like support member20. The cover of the centrifuge would be closed and the motor 12energized to centrifuge the blood sample for the proper period of time.It is quite important to note that the wall 38 of the test tube 32 ismaintained in close proximity to the inner wall 26 so that the frozen orchilled material 30 will reduce the ambient temperature of the bloodsample.

It can be seen that the method and means described herein eliminates theneed for providing a refrigerated centrifuge and also it eliminates theneed for maintaining the centrifuge in an environment having asubstantially reduced temperature. While the apparatus has beendescribed as being particularly well-adapted for centrifuging chilledblood samples, it should be noted that the apparatus could be used tochill any types of test specimens requiring reduced temperatures duringthe centrifuging thereof. Thus it can be seen that the method and meansaccomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

I claim:

1. In combination,

a centrifuge device having at least one supporting means secured to arotating member and being adapted to support a receptacle duringrotation of said supporting means,

a receptacle holder element on said supporting means, said holderelement comprising inner and outer walls having a space therebetween,

a refrigerant material in said space between said wall members,

said refrigerant material and said holder element adapted to be chilled,

and a receptacle in said holder element containing a test specimen ofliquid to be centrifuged, the walls of said receptaclebeing in closeproximity to the inner wall of said holder element so as to'permit therefrigerant material to reduce the ambient temperature of said testspecimen.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said inner outer walls are sealedat their upper ends.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said inner wall has a taperedportion at its upper end for supporting said receptacle.

4. The method of centrifuging a liquid specimen in a cold environment,comprising,

takinga receptacle having a'double wall configuration with a spacetherebetween,

filling said space with a liquid,

freezing said liquid,

and

bient temperature.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said container is maintained in closeproximity to the inner wall of said receptacle during said rotation.

1. In combination, a centrifuge device having at least one supportingmeans secured to a rotating member and being adapted to support areceptacle during rotation of said supporting means, a receptacle holderelement on said supporting means, said holder element comprising innerand outer walls having a space therebetween, a refrigerant material insaid space between said wall members, said refrigerant material and saidholder element adapted to be chilled, and a receptacle in said holderelement containing a test specimen of liquid to be centrifuged, thewalls of said receptacle being in close proximity to the inner wall ofsaid holder element so as to permit the refrigerant material to reducethe ambient temperature of said test specimen.
 2. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said inner and outer walls are sealed at their upperends.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said inner wall has atapered portion at its upper end for supporting said receptacle.
 4. Themethod of centrifuging a liquid specimen in a cold environment,comprising, taking a receptacle having a double wall configuration witha space therebetween, filling said space with a liquid, freezing saidliquid, placing the test liquid specimen in a container, placing saidcontainer in said receptacle, and subjecting said receptacle torotational motion and maintaining said container in close proximity tothe walls of said receptacle so that the temperature of said test liquidwill be reduced from its ambient temperature.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein said container is maintained in close proximity to the innerwall of said receptacle during said rotation.